View Full Version : ABA - Montel Williams - Autism show
Shirley
11-16-2007, 02:16 PM
The Montel Williams talk show is currently playing in the background... I hear the list of resources a mom is implementing with professional help for her son who has autism.
In her list, she says, "..., ABA, ..."
Montel stops her: "What is ABA?"
Mom: "Applied Behavior Analysis, and it's a science in itself..."
Yes, behavior is a science... :school:
Molzy7687
11-18-2007, 04:53 PM
Shirley,
It's great to see that people are catching on!
In my Small Animal and Equine Behavior Class that I'm taking right now, we learned about aggression last class in dogs. With fear aggression, dogs will usually give a warning, but when people don't listen to the warning they get bit. Each time this happens, the dog gives less and less warning since it doesn't help, until eventually they're giving no warning at all.
Just today I started thinking about how this could apply to parrots. Body language is often so subtle, and I am thinking that birds who bite 'unpredictably' probably have learned that giving warnings doesn't help. We've been watching videos of dogs to learn about their body language...it's making me interested in video taping some birds and analyzing the behavior, because being able to rewind and pause really helps to learn how to read behavior.
I'm upset that next semester I don't get to take any behavior classes! But I'm thinking about applying to a behavior internship at the local zoo for the summer...we'll see! I should never have taken LLP or gone to AAV this summer-now I'm obsessed!
You learn something new everyday!
I'm glad Montel asked. That gave he and his audience the option to become more knowledgeable. :clap:
Shirley
11-18-2007, 06:29 PM
ABA is used every day in the public school special needs classes. It's a well-understood term - but the general pet owner population is not very aware of it... and he asked for the benefit of the audience, I'm sure... that was a good thing for him to prompt her for the name and not just leave it at the initials.
When I sub-teach special needs, you see ABA and functional behavior anaylsis forms and reports for each student. And of course, part of that is ABC -- antecedent, behavior, consequence.
When I think back... each bite really did either have a warning, or it was a situation where I already knew better, but thought I could get away with it. There are certain conditions in the environment that give creatures more reason to decide that a bite is the last way out... and with parrots, this can be any number of things, but placing yourself between them and an object they desire, or a bird/animal/human they don't desire, or them on the floor and us reaching for them, or taking food, cleaning their cages, you name it, when we learn our birds, we must remember to think of those things that they try to avoid, and steer clear of those circumstances.
e.g. Steve takes Holly out of her cage before he ever changes her papers.
I avoid having Holly and another bird on me at the same time.
I avoid talking on the phone while Holly is on me.
Dr. C. doesn't trust Merlin when he is on the floor walking around.
I stop rubbing the cat's tummy when she gives me "that look".
I don't push Steve for an answer when he's tired.
Steve doesn't interrupt me when I'm in the middle of a scene edit.
Common courtesy and understanding can go far to prevent stress and unwanted consequences in our lives.
Molly, I guess I didn't realize you are a graduate of Dr. Friedman's LLP class (Living and Learning wtih Parrots)! (http://www.behaviorworks.org/)
That's awesome! Dr. C is, as well, but I'm not.
So true! Yes, I have realized that for quite some time. Bites do happen, "for a reason". People and companions alike need space and positive surrounding to flourish.
I believe we owe our companions and others in our environment respect, understanding and space to be themselves. I hope more will strive to become educated to know the reasons for negitave or bothersome behavior verses positive behavior. "Our birds entrust their being unto us "so, we best get it right"! :agree:
For instance: I wouldn't choose a surgeon fresh out of med school with limitations. I want a knowlegable surgeon that knows how to apply his education as well in reality as he does in textbooks.:beerchug:
Shirley
11-18-2007, 11:25 PM
No kidding! "so, we best get it right"! :agree: is right on! :thumbup:
...For instance: I wouldn't choose a surgeon fresh out of med school with limitations. I want a knowlegable surgeon that knows how to apply his education as well in reality as he does in textbooks.:beerchug:I agree with this, Jean.:thumbup:
Using the above: What I have learned is, ABA teaches *us* to become the Dr. What I mean is. A person that can analysis behavior and knows if he is using reinforcement or punishment to change behavior.
Once I got my feet wet in ABA, still learning and always will be, I found there was a lot of 'experience' to be found with minimal knowledge of ABA. Many times the experience that worked in reality wasn't the best it could be - according to science. Out dated if you will. This experience in reality came with words used in ABA but sure didn't fit the textbook knowledge.:(
I have found that having ABA knowledge helps sort out (in the words of someone I highly respect) those that "become yet one more naked emperor, a pseudo-expert", from those with a Ph D or ABA knowledge.
I agree with this, Jean.:thumbup:
Using the above: What I have learned is, ABA teaches *us* to become the Dr. What I mean is. A person that can analysis behavior and knows if he is using reinforcement or punishment to change behavior.
Once I got my feet wet in ABA, still learning and always will be, I found there was a lot of 'experience' to be found with minimal knowledge of ABA. Many times the experience that worked in reality wasn't the best it could be - according to science. Out dated if you will. This experience in reality came with words used in ABA but sure didn't fit the textbook knowledge.:(
I have found that having ABA knowledge helps sort out (in the words of someone I highly respect) those that "become yet one more naked emperor, a pseudo-expert", from those with a Ph D or ABA knowledge.
I believe you are right on! :dance:
CocosMomma
11-19-2007, 03:48 PM
Can't help myself here.... I'm sure you've all heard this old joke...
You know what they call a doctor that graudates at the top of his class? Yep, Doctor. And, what they call a doctor that graduates at the bottom of his class? Yep, Doctor!
:funny:
I thought of that when I read your post, Jean!
(Thank you for indulging me!):rofl:
Can't help myself here.... I'm sure you've all heard this old joke...
You know what they call a doctor that graudates at the top of his class? Yep, Doctor. And, what they call a doctor that graduates at the bottom of his class? Yep, Doctor!
:funny:
I thought of that when I read your post, Jean!
(Thank you for indulging me!):rofl:
I know the saying! ;) It bears a huge maning doesn't it? :agree:
Ya know what they call a doctor that never graduated or read the book don't ya???
A nut!!!
Or, to be polite "yet one more naked emperor, a pseudo-expert"
:funny: :funny: :funny:
Ya know what they call a doctor that never graduated or read the book don't ya???
A nut!!!
Or, to be polite "yet one more naked emperor, a pseudo-expert"
:funny: :funny: :funny:
You know what my cockatoo does to a nut?
Crack! Splatter! Toss! :rotflmao:
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